adjective
righteous
RY-chus/ˈraɪtʃəs/
Morally just and upright.
The witness takes righteous action by returning the stolen item and confronting the bully.
Etymology
The combination of “right” with “wise, way, manner” describes rightness in how someone acts. It characterizes both just actions and people whose conduct conforms to moral or divine law.
In context
That righteous fury is your sense of fairness telling you that, well, it's not fair.
Our righteous acts create immeasurable ripples in the endless river of justice.
More examples
- His righteous anger at the unfair verdict moves him to act.
- They teach their children to lead righteous lives.
- Even a righteous goal does not excuse cruel methods.
Forms
righteous · more righteous · most righteous
righteousness noun — The quality of being morally upright.
righteously adverb — In a morally right or justifiable way.